$62,500 Donated To Feeding South Dakota

The late senator George McGovern's influence on hunger will continue to feed hungry children for at least another year in South Dakota.

After his family urged people to send donations to Feeding South Dakota, the offerings have more than tripled above preliminary expectations.

McGovern made it his life's mission to feed the hungry and even in death, his influence continues to change lives.

Weeks after his funeral, Feeding South Dakota's Kerri DeGraff says donations have topped more than $62,500.

"We are just very humbled and feel blessed to be part of Senator George McGovern's legacy in South Dakota," DeGraff said.

The McGovern family decided to funnel all the donations to the Backpack Program, which gives a sack of food to students who don't have anything to eat over the weekend.

The money will help feed 431 students for an entire year in the program.

"We are very excited about that. Our Backpack Program is one that we continue to see needs for and increasing needs for, not only in Sioux Falls but across the state. The funds will be used to help children all across the state of South Dakota who are hungry. So it's very exciting," DeGraff said.

And DeGraff is confident McGovern's legacy will help eliminate the waiting list of hungry students to get on the Backpack Program.